Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Piglet’

ABSTRACT

A new, distinct  Pennisetum alopecuroides  plant as shown and described, characterized by a short habit of 40-45 cm.

Latin name: Pennisetum alopecuroides.

Cultivar name: ‘Piglet’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new form of Pennisetum alopecuroidesplant named ‘Piglet’. ‘Piglet’ is a seedling of Pennisetum alopecuroides‘Hameln’, not patented, characterized by a short habit of 40-45 cm,compared to the taller habit of 90 cm of the parent plant. The new plantwas found as a seedling by the inventor growing in the ground in closeproximity to a block of 1 gallon Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ inHebron, Ill. in 1999. The selection of this plant was due to a shorterhabit. Asexual, vegetative division propagation has been the only meansof reproduction. Propagation has taken place at Hebron, Ill. since 2002.In 2003 we planted 60 plants in the field. To date these plants haveremained uniform in height. The new Pennisetum has shown to be stableand identical in reproduction to the parent after making over 1550vegetative divisions from 2002 to 2005.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The new Pennisetum alopecuroidesplant named ‘Piglet’ has shown the characteristic of a short 40-45 cmhabit to be unique and stable.

Plants of the new Pennisetum can be compared to plants of Pennisetumalopecuroides the species. 1. The new Pennisetum has a height of 40-45cm compared to the height of Pennisetum alopecuroides which has a heightof 100-110 cm. 2. The new Pennisetum has an inflorescence length of 7-8cm compared to Pennisetum alopecuroides which has an the inflorescencelength of 14 cm.

Plants of the new Pennisetum can be compared to plants of Pennisetumalopecuroides ‘Hameln’ not patented. 1. The new Pennisetum has a heightof 40-45 cm compared to the height of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’which has a height of 90 cm. 2. The new Pennisetum has an inflorescencelength of 7-8 cm compared to Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ which hasan the inflorescence length of 10 cm.

Plants of the new Pennisetum can be compared to plants of Pennisetumalopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’, not patented. 1. The new Pennisetum has aheight of 45 cm compared to the height of Pennisetum alopecuroides‘Little Bunny’ which has a height of 30 cm. 2. The new Pennisetum has aninflorescence length of 7-8 cm compared to Pennisetum alopecuroides‘Little Bunny’ which has an the inflorescence length of 3 cm.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows ‘Piglet’ plants in the field.

FIG. 2 shows ‘Piglet’ as potted 1 gallon plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The plant herein described is a oneyear, one gallon specimen grown in full sun and irrigated in Hebron,Ill.

-   Botanical classification: Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivar    ‘Piglet’.-   Parentage: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ seedling.-   Propagation: Vegetative division.-   Plant description.—Overall habit of the new Pennisetum is strongly    clumping mounds with upright stems topped by buff colored flowers in    September. Vigor is moderate.    -   -   Plant height.—40-45 cm.        -   Plant width.—50-60 cm.        -   Stem diameter.—3-4 mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Deciduous, grass growing in culms.        -   Shape.—Blade.        -   Petiole.—None.        -   Length.—25 cm.        -   Width.—4 mm.        -   Adaxial leaf description.—The leaf color is green color 146            A.        -   Abaxial leaf description.—The leaf color is green color 146            A.-   Flower inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal bristled spike.        -   Inflorescence color.—As a whole the color is 161 D.        -   Individual floret size.—1-2 mm across, 8-9 mm tall.        -   Bristle size.—1 cm long.        -   Overall inflorescence spike size.—4 cm wide (across), 7-8 cm            long (tall).        -   Flower number.—Approximately 60-70 florets per mature spike            measuring 4 cm wide (across), 7-8 cm long (tall).        -   Fertility.—Fertile with 3 Anthers and 3 Stamens.        -   Blooming habit.—Terminal bristled spike on up to 60 cm            stems.        -   Bloom period and duration.—September into October.        -   Scent.—No scent noticed.        -   Bloom color.—161 D.        -   Roots.—Stiff, fibrous, and freely branching.        -   Fruit.—Seed identical to the species except size.        -   Disease resistance.—Plants are not susceptible to any major            pests or diseases.

1. A new, distinct Pennisetum alopecuroides plant as shown anddescribed, characterized by a short habit of 40-45 cm.